Briefs: Burnsville offers emergency response training

The Burnsville Fire Department is offering training for residents who want to be part of the city's Community Emergency Response Team.

The classes, held in collaboration with the cities of Bloomington and Richfield, teach emergency and disaster preparedness so people can help themselves and their neighbors before first responders arrive. Instructors will cover fire safety, medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, team organization, terrorism identification, and how residents can best help first responders.

The training consists of three sessions: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 1, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2 and 3. The classes will be held at Bloomington Fire Station No. 1, 10 W. 95th St., Bloomington. Attendance at all three sessions is required.

To get more information or register by the April 24 deadline go to www.burnsville.org.

Local businesses can get advice on employee recruitment and retention Wednesday at a free workshop being offered by the Dakota County Community Development Agency and the Dakota-Scott Workforce Investment Board.

The session, "Recruitment and Retention: Tips and Strategies for a New Era," will run from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Av., Burnsville. There will be a keynote speech by Jody Thompson, co-founder of Results-Only Work Environment, followed by a panel discussion. The presentations will focus on challenges that local small and mid-size businesses face.

To register for the workshop, go to www.bit.ly/Dakota-Recruitment-Retention or call 651-675-4432.

Bob Voss, an instructor at Dakota County Technical College, will teach a simplified method for creating a business plan during the workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Voss is the author of two books: "Will My New Business Succeed?" and "21 Question Business Plan."

The workshop is sponsored by South Metro SCORE and U.S. Federal Credit Union. It's free, but registration is required. For more information, go to www.dakotacounty.org/library and check the events calendar.

The Farmington Heritage Preservation Commission is accepting nominations until April 28 for the annual Farmington Heritage Preservation Award.

The award is given to "an individual, family, company or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and use of Farmington's heritage resources." Nonresidents may be nominated, but the heritage preservation work must be in Farmington. The winner receives a plaque, presented at a City Council meeting in May.

Send nominations to the Farmington Heritage Preservation Commission in care of Planning Manager Tony Wippler, Farmington City Hall, 430 3rd St., Farmington, MN 55024. He can also be contacted at 651-280-6822 or twippler@ci.farmington.mn.us.

The event from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday will feature music and dancing, an inflatable obstacle course and a variety of games, including foosball, air hockey, dome hockey and Ping-Pong. Concessions will be for sale.

To get more information, call Rosemount Parks and Recreation at 651-322-6000. Admission is $2 per person or $1 per person with two cans of food to donate.

The committee that plans Leprechaun Days is looking for volunteers to help with the summer festival.

The group meets at 7 p.m. Monday at the Rosemount Community Center, 13885 S. Robert Trail, to discuss plans. This year's festival is set for July 17 to 26 with a variety of events, including a parade, carnival, food and music. Volunteers can participate in Leprechaun Days planning and help throughout the festival.

For more information go to www.rosemountevents.com.

Attorney Kathleen Browne will discuss wills, living wills, health care directives, power of attorney and other topics during the workshop from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday.

The class is free, but registration is required. For more information, go to www.dakotacounty.org/library and check the events calendar.